Thuri Calafia - Initiate: A Witchs Circle of Water

About the Author

Thuri Calafia (Portland, Oregon) is an ordained Wiccan minister and High Priestess who has been teaching the Wiccan path for over thirty years. The founder of the Circles system and the Circles School of Witchcraft and Wicca, she is actively involved in her local community and teaches workshops, presents public rituals, and provides intuitive readings. She lives with her beloved partner, Robert, and their four-legged child, Miss Alyssa Ramone.

Llewellyn Publications

Woodbury, Minnesota

Copyright Information

Initiate: A Witchs Circle of Water 2012 by Thuri Calafia.

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First e-book edition 2012

E-book ISBN: 9780738729374

Based on a book design by Steffani Sawyer

Cover art: Blue background iStockphoto.com/Tania Oloy
Water texture: Eyewire
Background texture: PhotoDisc

Cover design by Ellen Lawson

Llewellyn Publications is an imprint of Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd.

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Llewellyn Publications

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Woodbury, MN 55125

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Manufactured in the United States of America

Acknowledgments

An authors work is more than just putting words on paper, so the support she receives is about far more than just the direct help she receives with ideas and concepts, wording and flow, computer glitches, or any other nuts and bolts issues. To that end, I wish to offer special thanks to:

Helios, Aradia, and Brighid, my ever-present Muses, for illuminating my gifts and inspiring me daily.

Elysia Gallo, my esteemed editor, for your unwavering support, both professionally and personally. Your shoulder has been a true gift through many dark times, and I appreciate you more than you know. Thank you for your encouragement, compassion, humor, and unwavering insistence on excellence. This books success is very much to your credit. But then, you know that.

Brett Fechheimer, my new-titles editor, for your humor and consistency, and for your patience with me on those long mornings when I was one cup short of coherent. Your unfailing wisdom and savvy-ness saved my butt (and this book) from many a bleary-eyed mistake. Thanks for helping it shine.

Crow Woman, for faithfully walking this Initiates Path that others may find their footing, and for having the courage to dare with each and every challenge!

Willow, for your courage also. Going into our own darkness is never easy, but you have bravely dared the first steps, which is an inspiration to all who will follow you.

Dreywolf, for the exemplary adorations, and for the purity of faith they inspire.

All of my star students, for reminding me, at crucial times, just why I walk the Path of Insanity that is being a Witchcraft teacher and occult writer. Thank you, again, for teaching me how to teach.

My fellow authors and new friends: Christopher, for the great career advice, inclusion, and care; Raven, for filling my heart with the light of your prayers, for your endless support and love, and for being the best hugger on the planet; and John Michael, for inviting this nervous, starry-eyed newbie to sit at the cool kids table with such a great author as yourself. Gentlemen, you have inspired and uplifted me in more ways than you know through your work, your kindness, and your wisdom, and I am forever in your debt.

And last but certainly not least, I wish to thank Ellen, Jenne, KaTerra, Laura, Sienna, and all of the wild and beautiful sistahs (whose names are too numerous to mention) I found here in the paradise that is the Pacific Northwest, for calling me home.

Youve been walking in circles, searching.
Dont drink by the waters edge.
Throw yourself in.
Become the water.
Only then will your thirst end.

Jeanette Berson

Dedication

For my Eagles, and my sister, for teaching me

the true meaning of the word Family :

Jerica, spirit-daughter, with your exemplary kindness and grace,

you are a true priestess,

regardless of the manner in which you walk your path.

My beloved Robert, for the lessons of spirit, even after all these years,

and for being the Way-Shower, still.

And for Michelle, who never once made me invisible,

and who gave me the keys to the realm.

Contents

Part One

Tempering the Vessel: Initiate Foundation Work

PART TWO

Priming the Vessel: The Thirteen Moons

PART THREE

Attuning the Vessel: The Solar Wheel

PART FOUR

Flooding the Vessel: Adept Initiation

Introduction

On a rainy autumn evening in the city, a man steps out onto the sidewalk. Hes just finished his Witchcraft 101 at the local metaphysical shop and bought himself his first chalice, as a gift for all hes accomplished. The class was good; he learned many things about the Old Gods, the Sabbats, and the basics of his newfound religion. His teachers last words to the class ring in his head as he walks along the glistening street: Now you have all come to the place where you can say you are ready to begin to learn. Blessed be, and good luck.

He feels hes way past being ready to begin learning the Craft, and to put into practice all the things he learned in class. Like a racehorse pushing against the starting gate, he feels excited, compelled, driven to his Path, but, also like a racehorse pushing against the starting gate, he feels frustrated, thwarted, held back. He wants to soar! But how to get airborne? He ignores his frustration and focuses instead on his joy. He looks around himself, then up at the sky, letting the rain wash over his face, and laughs out loud. He cant help it; all the people passing by are huddled in their coats and jackets, hoods pulled about their unhappy faces, umbrellas straining against the wind that accompanies the rain. He feels so connected to nature, even here in the city, that the coldness of the day cant touch him, at least not in a negative way. He wants to embrace the cold wetness of the Mothers waters, and so he opens himself up to her, to the tides of the earth, spreading his arms so his jacket opens up too, to symbolize his feelings, and he grins and whoops loudly, laughing, as the chilly rain soaks his shirt. He inhales deeply of the freshly washed air, and splashes through puddle after puddle of clean, cold water as he makes his way home, joyously reveling in his soaked, cold feet.

A short while later, he turns the key in the lock and opens his door. He is exhilarated, spirit soaring, filled with hope and faith, and soaked to the skin.

And that is as it should be, he chuckles to himself, for he knows hes ready to test the waters of this wonderful new spiritual Path hes found, but hes not quite sure just how to go about it.